LG flags off first batch of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims amid heightened security

JAMMU — Amid a surcharged religious atmosphere, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of 4603 Amarnath Yatra pilgrims from the Amarnath Yatra base camp in Jammu this morning.

Before flagging off the first batch of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims, LG Manoj Sinha also offered special prayers at the temple.

As per the news agency KNO, the 52-day-long pilgrimage to the cave shrine at a height of about 13,000 feet in southern Kashmir Himalayas will commence from the twin tracks—the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag and the 14-km shorter but steep Baltal route in Ganderbal on June 29.

After flagging off the first batch, in a media address, LG Manoj Sinha said, “First batch of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims have departed from Jammu. In the last 3-4 years, a lot of arrangements have been made for the Yatra and this time also J&K administration has done all the necessary arrangements, security has been heightened.”

He sought support from locals in making the Yatra a grand success, adding that “elaborate security arrangements have been put in place for the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.”

He also posted on social media about the ceremony. The post from Office of LG J&K reads, “Flagged off first batch of devotees for the pilgrimage to the holy cave of Shri Amarnath Ji. My best wishes to all the pilgrims for a safe, blessed, and spiritually enriching journey. May the blessings of Baba Amarnath Ji bring peace, happiness & prosperity to everyone’s life.”

Ahead of the Amarnath Yatra, thousands of pilgrims have reached Jammu. The first batch will travel in high security in a convoy and reach Pahalgam and Baltal base camp where they will start their Amarnath Yatra.

The pilgrims were seen chanting “Bham Bham Bholey” and dancing in excrement to be part of the first batch of Amarnath Yatra. Among the 4603 pilgrims, 3631 were male, 711 females, 252 Sadhus and nine children. They were travelling in a cavalcade of 231 vehicles.

Meanwhile, the BJP leader Devender Singh Rana, who also accompanied LG at the ceremony said, “We hope that with the grace of Bhole Shankar, this year also the Yatra will bring happiness and would be a good experience for everyone…like every year. People will get Jammu and Kashmir resident’s love, affection and care. The people from all over the nation will receive the blessings of Lord Shiva. Whole India and Jammu and Kashmir will fasten its way of the path of development. Like every year, this year also, all the arrangements have been made.”

CCTVs have also been installed on national highways to strengthen security and address traffic-related issues.

The 52-day-long pilgrimage to the cave shrine at a height of about 13,000 feet in the southern Kashmir Himalayas begins on June 29 and will continue till August 19. So far 3.5 lakh pilgrims have registered for the Yatra while a large number is expected due to the increased quota of on-the-spot registration.